Get ready to wake up early for your Walt Disney World vacation this fall. Disney has announced that they will roll out Extra, Extra Magic Hours for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom to meet the demand by the large crowds for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Like the normal Extra Magic Hours perk given to guests staying on Disney property, the Extra, Extra Magic Hours are only available to guests with a valid theme park ticket who are staying at a Disney resort.
Not all attractions are available or open during the Extra, Extra Magic Hours window. However, you can plan on the most popular attractions (the rides in Pandora or in Toy Story Land, for example) to be open as soon as the Extra, Extra Magic Hours begin.
Below is a schedule of the newly created Extra, Extra Magic Hours.
Hollywood Studios
September 1 – November 2
Extra, Extra Magic Hours: Open daily from 6am to 9am
Note: Hollywood Studios will open early at 6am from August 29-31 for all guests due to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Animal Kingdom
September 1 – November 2
Extra, Extra Magic Hours: Open daily from 7am to 8am
Magic Kingdom
September 1 – November 2
Extra, Extra Magic Hours: Open daily from 7am to 8am
This appears to be Disney’s way of handling the enormous crowds for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. In addition to the expanded hours at Hollywood Studios, the increased operating hours at two other theme parks should assist in meeting some of the demand.
It is worth noting that Epcot wasn’t included in the Extra, Extra Magic Hours push, which perfectly summarizes the current situation and perception of the park. Outside of the Food & Wine Festival, which begins the same weekend Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens, there isn’t the same kind of demand for Epcot as there is the other three parks.
Summarized, this could be a great opportunity for guests who don’t mind waking up early while they are on vacation. While we’d still fully expect a massive crowd at Hollywood Studios even at (and well before) 6am, guests might find some very manageable crowds at Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom if they make it there before 7am. An early-rising guest could hit all of the biggest attractions and escape before the heat, humidity and crowds descend upon those two theme parks. Not a bad trade for an early morning.
